5 Traits of a Well-Designed Kitchen

For many people, a designer kitchen might seem out of reach. But according to TV host and contractor, Scott McGillivray and award-winning residential designer, Jane Lockhart a beautiful and functional kitchen is worth the investment – and attainable.

In their free online course, “Dream. Plan. Do.,” they will show you ways to bring elements of luxury into your kitchen, no matter what you’re starting with.

Here are what they say are 5 characteristics that will bring your kitchen to the next level.

The Right Layout

Many designers and contractors say nailing your kitchen’s layout is the most important step in a renovation project and it’s the ﬁrst thing you should do.

According to McGillivray, “Your kitchen’s layout affects nearly every aspect of the renovation going forward, from the amount of paint you buy, to where you put cabinetry, to where you place your appliances. So getting it right is crucial.”

The school of thought on layout has evolved over the years. For decades, the gold standard was the “working triangle.” Its rationale is simple: Keep the distance between the refrigerator, sink, and stove between 12-26 feet for maximum cooking efﬁciency.

But we use our kitchens for more than cooking these days. Breaking your kitchen up into zones is becoming the new gold standard. Depending on which designer you talk to, you will break your kitchen up into at least 2 zones, a “hot zone” for cooking and a “cold zone” for prep and storage.

But ideally, there will be a zone for each task: a cooking zone, a prep zone, a cleaning zone, a zone for keeping your dishes, and a zone for keeping your food. You can expand from there and create zones to suit your unique needs.

Quality Features

“Only a rich person can afford cheap updates,” says McGillivray. “Doing it right the ﬁrst time will save you money and a headache.”

The word “shortcut” doesn’t exist in a well-designed kitchen. Appliances and materials should be the highest quality you can afford, and they should match your home’s character and style. If you’re buying new appliances, opt for stainless steel. They are timeless and a huge selling point.

If you’re installing new countertops, go with Cambria. They’re maintenance free, they won’t stain or trap germs, and they’re durable. And with more than 133 designs, there’s a design for every style.

For ﬂooring, go for engineered hardwood or a durable tile material like porcelain or Cambria.These materials handle kitchen moisture, everyday wear and tear, and are a positive investment. “’Hardwood throughout” is a term I hear all the time,” says McGillivray. “And the reason is clear. It looks great and can stand up to the wear and tear found in the modern kitchen.”

Correct Color Combinations

“The hardest thing about color is making a decision,” says Lockhart. “Because people get so much information from so many people.”

A great way to choose colors is to decide the colors for the elements that won’t change ﬁrst. Start with ﬂooring because it transitions between rooms and takes up the most space. Then decide cabinetry color. They can either blend or contrast with the ﬂooring. Use the countertop color as an opportunity to tie the ﬂooring and the cabinetry colors together.

To add continuity, decide how many colors you want in the space, and reuse those colors in various ways. If you have blue walls, consider a countertop with hints of blue paired with subtle blue accents around the space.

“Maybe the countertop and the backsplash are the areas that are at eye level that you really want to zing,” says Lockhart. “And that’s the kind of thing where you really want to see the color. Keep everything else, like cabinets and ﬂooring, neutral.”

Lighting that Enhances

“The only mistake you can make with lighting is not putting in enough,” says Lockhart. “If you don’t need it, you simply don’t turn it on.”

There are 3 types of lighting you will put in your kitchen. First is general lighting. This is basic lighting that will illuminate the entire space. It is typically recessed lighting spread throughout. The second type is task lighting. This lighting helps you work safely and efﬁciently. Task lighting can be under cabinets, over the range, or even in the pantry. And the last type is accent lighting, which highlights design features. This could be LED lighting around a wine rack or beautiful pendants.

Before you start installing lighting, make sure to work with a designer to create a reﬂected ceiling plan (RCP). This is a document that looks just like a ﬂoor plan, but has the placement of each light to help you visualize where and which types of lighting to put in the space.

The Details

What really sets a well-designed kitchen apart from the rest are the details – the little touches that add elements of surprise.

USB outlets in an island are a great way to keep your phone and other gadgets charged without having to hunt for an adaptor. To keep the design clean, pop-out and hidden outlets can ensure you always have power where you need it, when you need it.

Stainless steel is nice, but if you want your appliances to fall away in the space, wrapping them in panels that match the aesthetics of the cabinetry is the way to go. Many designers love panels because they come in a vast array of styles and colors and can help maintain openness and clean lines in the room.

If you’re installing Cambria, explore edge proﬁles. They come in many styles, from the chiseled to square edge, and add a sense of ﬁnish. Playing with the thickness of countertops can add to the drama too. Try doubling the thickness to create a lasting statement.

Ultimately, your kitchen is a representation of you. Incorporating some of these ideas will ensure it’s designed to the highest level and a smart investment. To learn even more design secretes, sign up for Cambria’s free online course, “Dream. Plan. Do.: The Inspired Kitchen” today.